I'm in a dilema

I have my toy poodle booked in for her teeth to be scraped and cleaned. I am so worried about the anaesthetic. She has had this before when she was spayed but should I put her at risk for something that is cosmetic??? I have owned 2 other dogs in 26 years and neither had dental treatment. However, my little dog (who means so much to me) has pretty bad teeth albeit she eats a good diet. The cost is not a problem, but my dog is part of my world and I am scared incase she does not pull through this anaesthetic. Please help me with the right decision.

I have what are considered to be rather elderly cats who have needed to have their teeth seen to from time to time and always under anaesthetic. Our vet offers some tests before any treatment needing anaesthetic just to check that the cat is healthy enough to undergo treatment. Could you ask your vet to do the same? I know it adds to the cost of any treatment but I feel it's worth it if only to put my mind at rest. Let us know how things go for you and her

I know EXACTLY how you feel Dee. I too went through the same thing with my precious dog a couple of years ago. He was 10 at the time. I thought what if he dies under anaesthetic just to have his teeth cleaned, how would I forgive myself. BUT they needed doing and I didn't want him to have bad teeth (I got him as an older dog and he'd been neglected, hence his dental problems). I went through the mill while he was at the vets, but of course he came through it and woke up with a healthier mouth. I think we all worry about an anaesthetic as our pets get older, but the vets do take our concerns into consideration. Good luck.

Do, dee - I feel the same about the catz, but the tartar buildup on pets' teeth can cause them serious gum disorders and can lead to the loss of teeth, I'm sure you'd feel awful if that happened later in your dog's life just because you couldn't bring yourself to take her to the vet's. She'll be happier for getting her teeth sorted. Imagine if (as you say) you had "pretty bad teeth" but nobody would get you to the dentist...

Max has just had major surgery to remove a spleanic mass and I was worried about the GA. it was a choice between leaving it and eventually the long sleep in a few months or risk it. He had the op and came through ok and according to the vet unless something unexpected occurs there's no reason why he wont be with us for a few more years

Dogs vary very much in their teeth. Of mine, several are sisters yet one of those has very bad teeth (as her father had) and the rest of them near perfect teeth (like their mother had). That goes for tartar too; the 'good teeth' ones have little, the 'poor teeth' one gets it quickly, yet they have identical diet and care.

Try the Petzlife that jules recommended, also there is a homeopathic remedy called Fragaria that you can buy online which will remove plaque and clean the teeth. Its only about £5 for 100 tablets, you give one a day for a month then one a week for maintenance. I would not worry about the anaesthetic though as most vets use Rapinovet which is quickly reversible and they come round much quicker.